Shetland actor Douglas Henshall has opened up about why he would have turned down the role of Jimmy Perez.
The actor’s admission came after he decided to leave the BBC drama at the end of series seven.
“I was really drawn to Jimmy, to make a human being who people would empathise with,” Douglas explained when discussing his character.
“If somebody had told me, ‘This job is going to be ten years long,’ I would have said no, because I couldn’t imagine doing anything for a decade.”
He added to the Radio Times: “I was worried I’d be stuck playing policemen now — which is what made Daniel Lang very attractive. He’s the opposite of that.”
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Shetland fans were left devastated when Douglas decided to leave the show, however, it wasn’t long before his replacement was announced.
Hollywood actress Ashley Jensen was soon confirmed to be the show’s lead detective and will appear in series eight as DI Ruth Calder.
Speaking about his decision to leave with Alison Hammond on This Morning, Douglas admitted he wasn’t sure if he would be able to watch Shetland after leaving.
When asked whether he felt protective over the show, the actor shared: “Well, I don’t know, as I have tried not to think about it too much.
“I kind of think I love what we all did together and I am very happy with that and I mean it’s going to be a different show now.
“I wish them all the best and I hope it’s very successful but I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch it.”
Filming for series eight is well underway and Douglas’ replacement Ashley has been pictured filming with Alison O’Donnell, who plays Tosh in the BBC series.
There will also be a host of famous faces making guest appearances including the likes of Jamie Sives, Don Gilet, and Ann Louise Ross.
The guest cast will also be welcomed by the regular stars of Shetland, Steven Robertson, who plays DC Sandy Wilson, Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy McCabe, and Anne Kidd, who plays Cora McLean.
Angus Miller will also be back to play Donnie, Conor McCarry as PC Alex Grant, and finally, Eubha Akilade, who plays PC Lorna Burns.
The new series sees Met Police Detective Inspector Ruth Calder return to her native Shetland to retrieve a vulnerable witness to a gangland murder.
Douglas Henshall’s full interview is available to read in this week’s Radio Times.